Author: Conan Power

Conan Power

Flying the Purple Flag for Purple Flag month

Purple Flag Awards June 2019

PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO CELEBRATE DURING PURPLE FLAG MONTH

Waterford City Centre will be taking part in the official annual celebration of the Purple Flag programme for those who have been recognised for excellence in the management of the evening and night-time economy (ENTE) in Ireland and the UK, taking place during the whole month of October 2019.

The evening and night-time economy significantly contributes to our local economy and Purple Flag Waterford aims to support this economy and drive standards within the Zone in partnership with key stakeholders. To celebrate Waterford City’s Purple Flag status since 2015, we intend to capture people’s imaginations, change perceptions and encourage people to do something different with their evenings in a variety of locations across the Zone area; the invitation is to experience the quality, diversity and vibrancy Waterford City Centre has to offer.

Gerald Hurley, local Coordinator of Purple Flag Waterford encourages everyone to get out and about during Purple Flag Weekend over 4th – 6th October saying “This gold standard award is not just about safety, but also recognises the vibrancy and diversity of our evening and night-time offer —this has been achieved by members working together across the Purple Flag Zone and is amazing example of what can be achieved by partnership working.

Chair of the Purple Flag Working Group, Eric O’Brien agreed, adding “It is great to see so many local businesses really celebrating their Purple Flag achievement and putting so much effort into the celebrations.”

The Purple Flag programme is run by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM). Ojay McDonald, CEO of the ATCM congratulated Purple Flag location holders saying “There now are over 70 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland who are proudly flying the Purple Flag after working hard to gain accreditation”.

Conan Power

“Ask for Angela” campaign launched

Purple Flag Waterford partnering with WIT Students Union, An Garda Siochana and working with local venues launched an ‘Ask For Angela’ campaign – a simple code-word campaign for people feeling unsafe while on a night out.   The campaign welcomed and supported by local venue owners and managers as it is seen as a positive step in raising the perception of safety in Waterford.

The Ask for Angela campaign has got global attention since introduced by Hayley Child in Lincolnshire, England in 2016.

Eric O’Brien, Chair of the Purple Flag Working Group outlined that the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign is in place to give assurance that where required, informed assistance is available.   He commends the support shown by venues who display campaign posters encouraging those in a situation where they feel vulnerable to approach staff and ask for ‘Angela’ – this code word will alert staff that help is needed to get out of a situation discreetly.

At the launch, Michael Murphy, President of WIT Students Union says that “the ‘Ask For Angela’ campaign has the potential to make Waterford a safer place by encouraging people to discreetly ask for help by going to venue staff and ‘Ask for Angela’ – a phrase aimed at alerting staff so they can help defuse a situation.

It is encouraging to see so many local businesses engaging with the campaign, all with a common objective to protect people who find themselves in vulnerable or distressing situations”.